ACADEMIC DRESS

The tradition of the academic costume began during the twelfth or thirteenth century in the early European universities. Since the clergy composed the majority of the educated class, academic dress is an adaptation of the cape or mantle which was usually of silk or wool and worn by church dignitaries in religious processions.

Through the years, great diversity in color and in style of cap, gown and hood developed. In 1896, the colleges and universities in the United States adopted a uniform code governing academic dress. Today, the black gown, hood, and mortar board worn by the graduates in most institutions follow this code.

While it is not apparent to the casual observer, the gowns worn by the recipients of the various degrees differ somewhat in design. The sleeves of the gown worn by the baccalaureate candidate are long and pointed, while the sleeves of the gown worn by the master’s degree recipients are square at one end with a slit at the elbow. The doctor’s gown has flowing sleeves with three bars of velvet and facing of velvet down the front of the gown.

Those who receive a master’s or a doctoral degree from the University of Colorado wear hoods lined with the school colors, silver and gold. The hood worn by the doctoral candidate differs in design from that of the master’s as it has side panels and is slightly longer. The velvet border of the hood indicates the degree and usually follows the same code as the color of the tassels.

The oxford cap, usually referred to as a mortar board, is black and has a long tassel which is fastened by a button on the top. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree wear the tassel pendant over the right front of the cap before the degree is conferred, then it is worn on the left thereafter.

Cum Laude candidates wear bronze honor cords. Magna Cum Laude and honors candidates wear silver honor cords. Summa Cum Laude and special honors candidates wear gold honor cords. The color of the tassel on the bachelor’s cap indicates the field of study, with the exception of the BA degrees in Letters, Arts & Sciences whose candidates wear white tassels indicating the arts.

Doctorate Tassel Colors

Doctor of Philosophy Old Gold

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Master Tassel Colors

Apricot

Master of Science/Sciences (Beth-El) Gold

Master of Social Work Citron

Master of Business Administration Sapphire

Master of Criminal Justice Peacock

Master of Public Administration ....... Peacock

Master of Arts (Education) Light Blue

Master of Sciences (Education) ...... Light Blue

Master of Engineering/Science Gold

Master of Arts (LAS) ................. White

Master of Science/Sciences (LAS) Gold

BACHELOR TASSEL COLORS

Nursing Apricot

Health Care Science Green

Social Work Citron

Business ........................ Sapphire

Criminal Justice

Education

Peacock

Light Blue

Engineering Orange

Letters, Arts and Sciences White